Toward better water transfers in Colorado and cumulative cost avoidance
Date
2008-05
Authors
Wiener, John, author
U.S. Committee on Irrigation and Drainage, publisher
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
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Abstract
This paper reports one view of sound leasing and water marketing ideas, as alternatives to "buy-and-dry", transfer of agricultural irrigation water to other uses. Drought, climate change and awareness of impending urban supply issues have stimulated new public policy processes, which themselves raise concerns over the timing and pace of belated considerations of the future and public interests. Because Colorado's strict prior appropriation water law has functioned as the state's water policy and plan, examination of cumulative impacts of water transfers has been minimal. Research on "what could go wrong?" with new recommended forms of water transfer has exposed potential problems for local governments and water providers. Among these problems are post-irrigation management issues; biological impacts from cessation of agricultural water distribution and return flows; and cumulative impacts to both social and environmental conditions. The paper suggests careful cost accounting for new forms of transfer, for the short and long-term. The means of transfer should be related to constituent and customer concerns.
Description
Presented at Urbanization of irrigated land and water transfers: a USCID water management conference on May 28-31, 2008 in Scottsdale, Arizona.